Acupuncture & Dry Needling

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture originated in China over 2,000 years ago and today involves the insertion of ultra-fine sterilised single-use needles into acupuncture points, carefully selected for your health problem.

Besides traditional Chinese acupuncture, acupuncture is also provided by GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and midwives who often call it dry needling or medical acupuncture. Dry needling or medical acupuncture is mainly used for musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, tennis elbow and injuries. Robin has been extensively trained in both traditional Chinese acupuncture, dry needling and medical acupuncture.

HOW DOES ACUPUNTURE WORK?

Acupuncture is increasingly being researched and shown to help a great variety of conditions, however, there is still no universally accepted theory.

The most credible research states that acupuncture stimulates gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide to be present at their optimal levels.  Once in this state, gasotransmitters initiate homeostasis within the body often via the neurological and cardiovascular systems, trigger vasodilation which increases and directs oxygenated & nutrient-filled blood flow to diseased areas.  This is great news if you have chronic pain and tension in your muscles.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory states that disease disrupts the normal flow of Qi (chee) and blood through the body.  This Chinese word Qi can be translated as gas, but in the West often as energy.  Acupuncture works by restoring the harmonious flow of Qi and blood which results in the body healing itself in the long-term and achieving homeostasis.

As you can see, the modern and traditional explanations have some similarities.

IS ACUPUNCTURE OR DRY NEEDLING PAINFUL?

During most types of acupuncture, you will feel a very slight prick during the needle insertion, but otherwise acupuncture is mostly relaxing.

HOW MUCH DOES ACUPUNCTURE COST?

Acupuncture treatment is always a personal experience and so the cost is directly linked to how many treatments are necessary. Even if Robin accepts you as a patient, there will still be a trial period of 3-4 treatments to see if acupuncture will work for you.

After your initial consultation, Robin will be able to tell you both the duration and cost of your treatment.